MICHAEL BYRN being called
upon for his Defence, he delivered to the Court a Paper Writing
containing his Defence, which was read by the Judge Advocate and is
hereto annexed.

It has pleased the Almighty,
amongst the Events of his unsearchable Providence, nearly to deprive me
of Sight, which often puts it out of my Power to carry the Intentions
of my Mind into Execution.

I make no Doubt but it
appears to this Honorable Court that on the 28th. of April, 1789, my
Intention was, to quit His Majesty's Ship the" Bounty" with the
Officers and Men who went away, and that the Sorrow I expressed at
being detained was real and unfeigned.

I do not know whether I may
be able to ascertain the exact Words that were spoken on the Occasion;
but some said, "We must not part with our Fiddler," and Charles
Churchill threatened to send me to the Shades, if I attempted to quit
the Cutter, into which I had gone, for the Purpose of attending Lieut.
Bligh.

Without trespassing more on
the Time of this Honorable Court I, with the most profound Humility,
willingly submit my Fate to the Judgment and Mercy with which it may
decide upon the Reward, which it may be induced to think. is merited by
their unfortunate Prisoner